Tony Blair will turn his attentions to global challenges today as he flies to Switzerland for the World Economic Forum.

The prime minister will use the visit to lay the groundwork for international agreements on climate change, world trade and poverty in Africa before he leaves office.

He is due to meet a string of world leaders - including presidents Lula da Silva of Brazil and Thabo Mbeki of South Africa - as well as billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates and rock singer Bono.

The two-day stay at the Swiss ski resort of Davos will allow the prime minister some respite from domestic difficulties, including cabinet divisions over gay adoption and fresh claims arising from the cash-for-honours investigation.

But Mr Blair is also keen to demonstrate tangible progress on international issues as the clock ticks down on his premiership.

After encouraging words behind-the-scenes from foreign counterparts, he is hopeful that the Davos gathering could serve to revive stalled talks on a World Trade Organisation (WTO) deal.

The premier will explore how the Doha round - which must be agreed by Easter if it is not to be lost - can be revived to help poorer countries and support economic growth. On climate change, Mr Blair wants to capitalise on recent momentum and pave the way for a post-Kyoto agreement including, crucially, the US, China and India.

The next meeting of the G8 in June - the last Mr Blair will attend as prime minister - will present an opportunity to agree an initial framework.

He will also be taking stock of progress against the commitments made on Africa at the 2005 G8 summit at Gleneagles.

Mr Blair wants to make sure that countries are delivering, particularly on free education, universal access to HIV/Aids treatment and African Union peacekeeping.

His two priorities for helping Africa are to get the WTO agreement and increase aid in line with the Gleneagles promises.